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My third Tuba Christmas experience was the best so far for me. Years of practicing and finding out how things work made things smoothly.

The funny thing is that while playing, I was next too another sousaphonist, who was more experienced than me. I was able to keep up with the music while listening to the bell of the other sousa.

To those who are still going to play the sousaphone or a large tuba and will be standing at your Tuba Christmas, I have one big piece of advice. If you have cargo pants, I'd bring it with you. That's because you'll have extra pockets for the water bottle (which I need to bring since I get thirsty while playing), camera to take pictures, and other things like an extra mouthpiece or the green book.

Enjoy your TubaChristmas!

Hank74

To react to the several posts above:

1)One needn't be an outstanding player to enjoy the occasion.

2)I played at the Austin TubaChristmas a few years ago and found it to be one of my least favorite TubaChristmas experiences. Sure, it was cool playing on the steps of the capital of the great state of Texas, but there was very little interaction among the players.

3)I don't believe anyone needs to be fearful of playing a TC. Just go and enjoy the event. Realize that you don't have to carry the ensemble. There are usually enough people there to make it all work, even if you played only 3 or 4 notes.

4)I have not yet attended a TC where there were exhibits. I understand there are some.

Since we are getting ready for our event in San Antonio, I can comment on how our's are done. First of all, we are not affiliated with the "official" TUBACHRISTMAS. We call our event a TubaMeister Christmas(it is sponsored by our tuba-euph group called the TubaMeisters). We have our own book of 12 carols which can usually be played by students who have studied tuba or euphonium for at least a year. We have some students try this after only having started at the beginning of the present school year. I don't imagine they contribute very much, but I believe they enjoy it, anyway. The TubaMeisters usually play 3-4 tunes of more challenging arrangements. Most importantly, we encourage a LOT of interaction among the participants. I sincerely believe that most, if not all, the participants have a very good time. Generally we get some TV coverage.

So, by all means, get in there and give it try. Be brave and have a great time. These events are intended to be just that.

im about to attend my first tubachristmas in NYC. i've been putting this off for a while but i believe this should be fun, just debating weither to take the school 3/4 tuba or fiberglass sousafone. im excited about it just wish i knew more about what goes down.

I was on my way back from doing a night vision combat course at the Marine base in Quantico when registration was going on for the DC event. I guess I'll have to try to make the Baltimore one instead.

I've had a variety of experiences so far, but the most fun have been in high-traffic areas like shopping malls and commercial zones. The acoustics are always questionable at best, and there's a lot of other activity, but you grab the attention of so many people that wouldn't have considered going to a concert hall just to hear tubas.

At my first performance or two, I thought that I was getting lost in the sound, but after that I just had to remember that I didn't need to play very loudly at all. It was easiest for me to hear what an overblown tuba sounds like at Tubachristmas when I finally got to watch a concert instead of play in one.

Dr. William Winkle, who coordinated events out in western Nebraska, would bring a microphone and amp to use for introducing the pieces to the mall crowd, and he had a few of us come up to play the tuba parts while he sang "Santa Wants A Tuba For Christmas." Pretty fun stuff.

I have attended tuba Christmas two times.

The first time was on the great steps in the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion when I was in High School. I was squished against the rail and almost fell over while playing, denting my horn in the process. The only high point was the L.A. pros. They sounded fantastic. That year Gene Pokorny was playing in the Phil and he had his Yorkbrunner in the end seat. I knew someday I had to have one, and with the damage to my horn from fighting the mobs of tubists on the steps, I needed one!

The second time I attended was a few years ago in Glendale. I did it to impress a girl, and that part worked. I was playing the Yorkbrunner at the time, but I felt like an *** because I wasn't playing with the L.A. pros. I knew it would be my last time.

I believe God was telling me something about Christmas from both of those experiences, and have learned that He was. He doesn't dig it.

Jeremiah 10

2Thus says the LORD:
"Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3For the customs of the peoples are futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
5They are upright, like a palm tree,
And they cannot speak;
They must be carried,
Because they cannot go by themselves.
Do not be afraid of them,
For they cannot do evil,
Nor can they do any good."

I played in my first Tuba Christmas this past August in Bethlehem PA,
loved the esprit de corp of all those low brass players in one place, I met at least two listers.
Please, if you can go, Do it! you will have a great time!

There are four performances close to me but I am so freaking
busy at work! I am missing my Band's Xmas concert too.

71 hours I put in last week, I love my job as a TV Director
and Editor, but my horn gathers dust. At least I will play on
Christmas Eve for the homeless shelter folks.

Happy Holidays!

MellowSmokeMan wrote:I have attended tuba Christmas two times.

[snip]

I believe God was telling me something about Christmas from both of those experiences, and have learned that He was. He doesn't dig it.

Jeremiah 10

2Thus says the LORD:
"Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;
Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,
For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.
3For the customs of the peoples are futile;
For one cuts a tree from the forest,
The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.
4They decorate it with silver and gold;
They fasten it with nails and hammers
So that it will not topple.
5They are upright, like a palm tree,
And they cannot speak;
They must be carried,
Because they cannot go by themselves.
Do not be afraid of them,
For they cannot do evil,
Nor can they do any good."

You and Jeremiah are correct if the intent is to build an idol to worship. Using a tree for temporary interior decoration is probably a different matter, IMO. The important thing is the intent of the heart.



Merry Christmas,

Steve Inman
Kokomo, IN

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Preach on, Brother Wayne!!!

Steve Inman wrote: You and Jeremiah are correct if the intent is to build an idol to worship. Using a tree for temporary interior decoration is probably a different matter, IMO. The important thing is the intent of the heart.

Proverbs 28
26He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,
But whoever walks wisely will be delivered.

Who understands does not preach;
Who preaches does not understand.

Reserve your judgments and words;
Smooth differences and forgive disagreements;
Dull your wit and simplify your purpose;
Accept the world.

Then,
Friendship and enmity,
Profit and loss,
Honour and disgrace,
Will not affect you;
The world will accept you.

Lao Tze, Ch 56

wnazzaro wrote:This was my first Tuba Christmas (Philadelphia) and I had fun. I met a fellow Tubenetter and enjoyed playing in the atrium of the Kimmel Center. The group was about 60 strong and the audience was probably about 100 people. I probably played as well as the sixth grader sitting next to me, so all-in-all it was a success.

Hey Bill!

It was nice to have met you...I wish I didn't have to run to the Palestra (to actually watch Temple WIN a game....), but it was definitely a nice Tuba X-mas! That was the first one I've done in Philly.

Man...I'll admit it....no shame.....playing 1st tuba parts the whole time kicked my BUTT!! It felt like I went through 2 recitals back to back....next time I'll bring the CC and stay in the cellar....hehehe!

Merry Tuba Christmas to all!

Below is an article about the Joplin TubaChristmas last weekend. Even though I was the coordinator, I had to miss the event. I hear it was a good tome. About 55 attended.

-Doug Whitten

http://www.joplinindependent.com/displa ... 1102992904

TubaChristmas comes to Joplin by: mariwinn
Updated: 2004-12-13 20:55:04-07






Many listeners of music mistakenly shudder when they think of a tuba, not to mention enough of them to form a "band". In thinking about this often maligned instrument, all many hear is the oom pa pa, or whatever accentuating beat is needed for a musical piece.


But Dr. Harvey Phillips, currently a distinguished professor of music emeritus at Indiana University, Bloomington wanted to dispel this notion and improve the public image of the tuba and euphonium. In 1974 he conceived the idea of TubaChristmas at Rockefeller Center, New York as a tribute to his teacher, the late William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas Day. Since that performance TubaChristmas has been performed yearly worldwide.


Thanks to the efforts of Doug Whitten, Pittsburg State University's Assistant Professor of Music and Director of the Athletic Bands and Scott Schneider, band director at Carl Junction Junior High School and co-director at Carl Junction High School, a TubaChristmas finally was organized in Joplin. 55 tubaists, ranging in ages from about 12 to 77, gathered in the Sear's Court at the Northpark Mall last Saturday afternoon to the delight of a large audience.


The entertainers were comprised of band directors, other professionals, and students. A musician from Iola, KS was recognized as traveling the farthest distance in order to participate. Unfortunately, Whitten, who was with the band at the Pitt State NCAA Division II Championship football game in Alabama, could not be present to witness the coming together of such an impressive number of tuba and euphonium players.


Kennth Meisinger, a professional musician who participated, agreed that the instruments were "maligned a lot" but that they were "very, very lyrical instruments. "Not unlike a huge men's chorus, their resonant sound is very appealing," Meisinger said.


Meisinger tried to catalog the various instruments that were being played: the baritone, euphonium, tenor tuba, and the base (the "big ones"). Then there are the alto (horn) and the soprano (cornet), he added. A distinction between the baritone and euphonium other than based upon the number of valves each has (baritone has 3, euphonium has 4) is often very subjective.





Dr. Craig Fuchs, director of bands and an associate professor of music (department chair) at Pitt State, said he had just one hour of rehearsal time at Webb City High School prior to the concert to whip the group into shape. He said he was amazed over the enthusiasm of the group and their desire to create a quality product.


"Tubas don't bog us down at #13," Fuchs commented, as he led the group. He explained that tubas have a tendency to drag a bit. He was saying, "Don't slow down." And his direction was heeded.


The program of Christmas music included "Silent Night" which Fuchs dedicated to the men and women who were overseas. A creative rendition of "Jingle Bells" was the group's final number until an insistent round of applause demanded an encore.


"Number four, we didn't do number four," a girl in the group shouted. So, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" that Fuchs inadvertently left out, became the encore. The hesitation of the group to disband strongly suggested the fun that everyone was having.


"We'll do it again next year," Fuchs assured the musicians as well as the appreciative audience.




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Paul Haugan offers an insight into the concept of a tubaist holding minority status:


"As tubaists we understand the implications of being an "endangered species" as well as a "minority." I can recall a time when I described to one of the black musicians in a blues band I was playing with in Madison [Wisconsin] what it was like to play tuba in a symphony orchestra... How you feel like you're unappreciated for what you've been doing, how your job might appear stupid or boring to other musicians, how you're considered on the bottom of the orchestral hierarchy next to perhaps the bass drum or the triangle. He looked at me, and a wry smile gradually spread across his face as he said, "Just goes to show you, Tootall, you don't have to be black to be a n..."

I too resumed tuba at last year's TubaChristmases, after nearly 40 years of not playing. It is great having so many others to help carry all four parts. The concerts are a satisfying community experience, which I highly recommend.

The Washington Post published a worthy TubaChristmas article Dec 13,
2004.

Click here Registration is free.

I'm excerpting to avoid copyright problems. I continued to the identification of the player's new instrument, just trolling.
===========
"My daughter just performed at the Kennedy Center," my mother has been telling her friends. I suspect, though, that she is leaving out a few key details. I played on the Millennium Stage, which is basically in the hallway of the Kennedy Center. The audience, composed mostly of children and their parents, sat on the floor for the performance. The most important omission is this: I played the tuba, which I first touched on Oct. 25, exactly six weeks before the concert. . . .

When I picked up my rental instrument from the music store, the clerk offered to show my child how to put the tuba together. I told him I have no children, and he looked puzzled. "It's for me," I said proudly.

The clerk brought out a black case with "Jupiter" in gold letters on the front. . . .

For my money, the TubaChristmas concept was one of the best ideas Harvey ever had. Christmas tuba events bring out some of the best qualities of those who play the instrument. Although not all events are high-level musical events, they are usually very much fun.

As for Harvey's idea, I only hope someone begins to understand that the cost is getting up there. Think of it! There is the registration fee--$5.00(or more) and if one doesn't already have the book, it costs $12.00. That means a first time participant must shell out $17.00. With many of the kids I am familiar with, this is a lot of money. Actually, it seems like a lot for me, too. After all, I am accustomed to someone paying ME money to perform, not the other way around.

I have one. I don't know how close you are to San Antonio.

TubaRay wrote:That means a first time participant must shell out $17.00. With many of the kids I am familiar with, this is a lot of money. Actually, it seems like a lot for me, too. After all, I am accustomed to someone paying ME money to perform, not the other way around.

About 6 years ago I wanted to do a tuba Christmas in Valdosta, GA. I had even emailed Kenyon Wilson and was going to bring my little Yamaha F (which I sold soon thereafter). I was just getting my computer business going and was broker than dirt. This is what stopped me from doing it, my wife would in no way allow me to spend the $$$ necessary when we were barely scraping by.

Not wanting leave anyone out who wishes to participate, our TubaMeister Christmas in San Antonio only asks a "donation" of $5.00. This is the complete and total registration. For this, we include a copy of the music. Since we do not have to send along money to the official TubaChristmas organization, we can cover our costs with that amount. We have expenses, of course, but this amount covers the expenses. We don't turn anyone away. If a person wants a copy of the music and wants to participate and is either unable or unwilling to pay, we allow them to be part of the event, anyway. Just about everyone is willing to pay the five bucks.

I believe we need to try our best to keep that cost level down. I can relate to Marty's situation which prevented his participation. I have been there financially, also.

So, I guess in San Antonio we can say, "Give me your tired, your poor...."